Updates and Announcements
Congratulations to Sister Bernice Lockett as she celebrated fifty years as an alum of Alabama A&M University. She was honored at the Golden celebration on Friday, May 3, 2024.
NAW Nonprofit Network Zoom
May 16, 2024
10-11 a.m.
We'll discuss workforce development services for the justice-involved
as they transition from incarceration to work.
Alabama Fork CPCA featured in the Decatur Daily - Book Donation Article - August 16th, 2023, Page A2
Due to our national convention this week, there will be NO bible study tonight. We will resume next Thursday evening at 6PM CST.
AFCPCA Evangelistic Opportunity at the National Church Convention in Independence, Ohio
African American Heritage Celebrative Worship Tickets, Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 4:00 PM | Eventbrite
African American Heritage Celebrative Worship - Eventbrite
Eventbrite - Alabama Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, Inc. presents African American Heritage Celebrative Worship - Sunday, August 21, 2022 - Find event and ticket information.
Greetings,
In conjunction with the National Black Family Reunion Celebration, please see Zoom login for Sunday afternoon worship. Dr. Robert Smith is the preacher for this event. Please help get the word out.
Back to Basics: Building Strong, Healthy Families Virtual Symposium
Colossians 3:12
Sunday, July 31, 2022
4:00 PM CST
Presenters:
Donna Green-Goodman, MPH Pastor Dr. William J. Lee Sr. Carolyn Bern, MPA
145th General Assembly
145th Genaral Assembly Program
Back to the Basics - Building Strong Families
For over 60 years, Mother Anne Burks Edmonds has been an intricate part of the Alabama Fork CPCA family. In fact, she still supports the mission of the church. Recently, she purchased a brand new stove for the church. Elder and Sister George Lockett handled the transaction. The church is so very appreciative to God for his many blessings.
2022 McDade Luncheon Event Featuring Project Talk
Saturday, April 30, 2022
See link below for details:
20 Tips to Manage Grief During the First Holiday
Posted on November 19, 2010 by Barbara Rubel
What would the world be like without holidays?
Each year, families and friends look forward to sharing these special times together. This is often not the case for the bereaved, especially during the first holiday after a loss.
If I were to ask you what you needed this holiday season, what would you say? Just like you, I was brought up to believe that holidays are fun and joyful. But now that you are grieving, it can make the holidays a painful and exhausting experience. Take the time to find healing activities and appreciate your life. Look at what your loss experience has taught you about the strength you have found in yourself.
You know what it’s like when the season is approaching and everyone around you seems to be busy doing something to create a happy holiday. You can also keep busy this season by focusing on those things that help you manage your grief. These activities can bring a sense of personal renewal and a feeling of significant accomplishment. Be flexible in your thinking as you do practical and sensible things that help you deal with your painful loss such as:
1. Keep a grief journal for venting. This can become an outlet to share what you are going through. Then reflect on what you wrote, how your grief has changed and how you are managing. You can create a biography of your loved one in the journal that helps you search for answers to your questions.
2. Use poetry to memorialize your loved one. Poems have great meaning to those who write them and those who read them.
3. Write a letter to yourself from a position of what you now know
about what happened to your loved one, what got you though it, and how you found meaning in it.
4. Create a memory book with photos or a box with mementos and reminders of the connection you shared with the person who died.
5. Wear something your loved one gave you and let others know of its significance.
6. Purchase a fragrant candle and create a ritual as you light it and reflect on your loved one’s life. Rituals have a beginning and an end. That is why lighting and extinguishing a candle is symbolic.
7. Keep an item that belonged to your loved one as linking objects are more than just things. These objects are physical items that connect you to your loved one and can help you accept their death. These transitional items hold special meaning and serve as reminders that although your loved one is physically gone, you are still spiritually connected.
8. Create a memorial fund in your loved one’s name. Contact your local bank or a foundation to help you and then let others know how to donate to the fund.
9. Focus on others in need and volunteer in your loved one’s memory at a nursing home, soup kitchen, or charity.
10. Read a card or letter given to you by your loved one. 11. Watch a home video of your loved one.
12. Express your grief through music. Whether you choose to sing a song or write one, the creative expression can be healing. Sit back and listen to a song that is meaningful to you and brings you strength.
13. Buy a gift for yourself that your loved one would have liked.
14. Create a memory quilt which can be used to cover a bed or chair. Include family and friends in this activity. A quilt can be made of digital photos transferred to fabric squares and your loved one’s clothing.
15. Take care of yourself. Focus on eating right, exercising, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy body weight, and getting adequate sleep.
16. Review what you have done in the past. Think about what you can simplify. As you focus on traditions, be mindful of those things you can handle and those things you want to change. Let others know the changes you intend to make.
17. Give yourself permission to leave early from a gathering.
18. Rather than shopping at the mall, consider catalog and Internet shopping.
19. Don’t send out holiday cards if it is a task that’s too difficult.
20. Let others know that it’s okay to reminisce if you want to talk about your loved one. Usually stories lead to stories that will make you laugh which can actually help you manage grief reactions.
Barbara Rubel 2011
The Gospel of John
Part 9
Welcome to Pulpit & Pew: Seminary for Everyone
from Memphis Theological Seminary!
Dr. Mitzi Minor, Professor of New Testament at MTS, continues our first lesson series with her lectures on the Gospel of John:
In our 12-part study, we'll be interpreting John's Gospel by giving careful attention to its social and historical background, its distinctive story of Jesus, and the world of discipleship it invites us to enter.
You can now view these lessons on the Gospel of John:
No Lesson Next Week
We will pick back up with the final three lessons of the Gospel of John beginning on Nov. 30.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday!
Next Series:
Spiritual Disciplines
with the Center for Faith and Imagination
Jan 16: Introduction to Spiritual Disciplines and Breath Prayer, with Dr. Stephanie Patton
Jan 23: Meditation, with Spiritual Director Linda Douty Mishke
Jan 30: Examen, with Dr. Christy Woodbury-Moore
Feb 6: Mindfulness, with Rev. Anne Hagler
Feb 13: Lectio Divina, with Dr. Stephanie Patton
Feb 20: Visio Divina, with Martha Lyle Ford
Feb. 27: Sabbath, with Dr. Roz Nichols
Mar 6: Spiritual Direction, with Spiritual Directors Linda Douty Mishke and Stephanie Patton
Mar 13: Celtic Spirituality, with Dr. Barry Anderson
Mar 20: Pilgrimage, with Dr. Barry Anderson
Mar 27: Journaling, with Rev. Billy Vaughan
Apr 3: Prayer and the Labyrinth with Trained Labyrinth Facilitator Anne Bradley Thomas
Apr 10: Contemplative Pedagogy, with Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield
Pulpit & Pew is co-sponsored by:
CFI supports seminarians, graduates, pastors, and faith leaders of all denominations with resources and opportunities to thrive in ministry.
What have you thought of Pulpit & Pew so far?
Please take a few seconds to send us a sentence or two about you've enjoyed this series and if we can use your feedback along with your name to promote the next series.
Thank you! Contact pulpitandpew@memphisseminary.edu l Call for Q&A
We have not received quite enough questions to plan for a special Q&A session, but if you would like for Dr. Minor to consider preparing a written response to a burning inquiry you might have, please submit the form below. Minor
"Relationships, not facts and reasons, are the key to reality. Which means that life and truth are personal and found in our relationships with one another and with God as Jesus has been revealing this things to us."
Are you enjoying this offering from Memphis Theological Seminary so far?
Donations to MTS from friends, alumni, and students help us do the good work of training lay and ordained women and men for ministry in the church and the world devoted to Scholarship, Piety, and Justice.
Every gift, no matter how big or small, is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
ZOOM INFORMATION https://oakwood.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rw2fC7xjQqqzVzU41cRcAw
Contact (256) 852-8075 * (256) 316-1274 * (256) 431-7926 or Https://sites.google.com/view/afcpca
Alabama Fork CPCA Announcements and Updates for May and June
COVID 19:
Until further notice as mandated by Moderator Robert Rice and the Tennessee Valley Presbytery, our in-person worship/gatherings at the church have been suspended. For the latest COVID information, follow the CDC link for guidance at www.cdc.gov
Worship:
Alabama Fork CPCA goes virtual!!!!
Hear the Good News at VIRTUAL Worship
Sundays at 9:00 AM CST
SUNDAYMORNINGSEMINARY.ORG
May 2nd & 9th “We Do Not Grieve as Those Who Have No Hope”
May 16th & 23rd “Educational Ministry in the Small Church”
June 6th & 13th “Thirsting for More”
Insert the Memphis Theological Seminary flyer here
Mother’s Day:
We salute all mothers and mother figures.
Class of 2021:
Congratulations to all 2021 graduates.
Memorial Day:
We pause and remember all soldiers who died while serving in the military for the United States of America.
Healing and Hope Ministry:
A drive thru COVID vaccine event is being planned for the community. More details to come.
Looking ahead:
Father’s Day:
We salute all fathers and father figures.
There will be no 2021 CPCA General Assembly
For more information, call the Alabama Fork Church office at (256) 431-7926.
March is National Women’s History Month
Alabama Fork CPCA salutes the many contributions of women. Join us as we highlight the late Sister Maggie Barbee, a founding member of Alabama Fork. Additionally, we pause and thank God for the all the faithful women who invested their time, service, and resources to the glory of God.
